The final few weeks of the calendar are always frantic for the swimming programme as athletes look for elusive qualifying times for the County Championship in the New Year and the national League campaign reaches its end.

A tight affair in difficult condition saw Hemel Hempstead Town edge themselves into the National League South playoff picture when a piece of free-kick magic from skipper Jordan Parkes was enough to separate themselves from Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

After months of planning and anticipation, the England and Lions great Jason Leonard came to the Hemel Hempstead-based Camelot club the previous Thursday night to take a two-hour seniors’ coaching session along with Camelot club coach Sam Townsend.

The Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead HC ladies’ first team won a significant game against fellow promotion challengers Potters Bar at the weekend to put Berko three points clear at the top of the league table.

A total of 15 youngsters from Berkhamsted Swimming Club lined up at The Venue in Borehamwood over the weekend for the sixth Hoddesdon County Qualifier meet, which delivered some excellent results for the club.